A-League boosted by Socceroos selections
1:58

The A-League's growing influence is evident in the selection of 10 players in the Socceroos World Cup squad, with midfielder Josh Brillante saying it's proof that the A-League is getting better and stronger.

Fox Sports

19 May 2014

Sport/Football/Socceroos

Jacob Melling will swap Adelaide for Melbourne.Source: News Limited

MELBOURNE Heart’s on-field revamp has continued with the signing of midfielder Jacob Melling from Adelaide United.

Manchester City-owned Heart on Tuesday also confirmed deals for Newcastle Jets duo Connor Chapman and James Brown, revealed by the Herald Sun last week.

Adelaide-born Melling made his A-League debut against Heart at AAMI Park in January, 2012, but only went on to play only 10 games for the Reds.

He represented the Joeys at the under 17 World Cup in Mexico in 2011.

Melling’s deal has not been included in the salary cap. He will be listed as one of three youth players A-League clubs are allowed to contract outside of their 23-player senior squads.

That means Heart still has eight spots it can fill on its roster ahead of next season.

Western Sydney midfielder Aaron Mooy will soon be confirmed as one of those players, while the club is expected to be in the market for both an Australian and international marquee.

“We believe Jacob to be one of the best young midfielders in the system and he is an exciting and competitive midfielder,” Heart coach John van’t Schip said.

“(Chapman) has shown experience beyond his age with two full seasons in the A-League and he is still just 19. He will no doubt grow further under the leadership of Patrick Kisnorbo and Robbie Wielaert.

“James possesses a lot of the attributes that we look for in attacking players at Melbourne Heart. Two years ago, when he was at Gold Coast, we saw his potential and we feel his best football is still ahead of him.”

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